When diets fall short: link between unsuccessful weight loss and reduced BDNF levels
ObjectivesBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein essential for brain health and nutrient energy metabolism. This study aims to examine the relationship between blood BDNF levels and obesity and to assess the effect of energy-restricted diets on BDNF levels.MethodWe enrolled 233 indivi...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1618927/full |
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| author | Gang Wu Guifeng Shi Yafei Ye Xiaoqin He Yahong Chen Cuimin Liu Meixian Zhang |
| author_facet | Gang Wu Guifeng Shi Yafei Ye Xiaoqin He Yahong Chen Cuimin Liu Meixian Zhang |
| author_sort | Gang Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectivesBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein essential for brain health and nutrient energy metabolism. This study aims to examine the relationship between blood BDNF levels and obesity and to assess the effect of energy-restricted diets on BDNF levels.MethodWe enrolled 233 individuals with normal weight (n = 102), overweight (n = 52), and obesity (n = 69) and measured their serum BDNF levels. Totally 49 overweight and obese participants then followed a 4-week energy-restricted diet. Paired tests were used to statistically evaluate changes in serum BDNF levels before and after the diet. Based on the effectiveness of weight loss, participants were divided into high- and low-response groups. Changes in BDNF levels before and after the diet were further analyzed separately in the high- and low-response groups for both men and women.ResultsOur findings showed that serum BDNF levels were significantly elevated in overweight and obese adults in the Chinese population studied (P = 0.002). Energy restriction led to a significant decrease in BDNF levels in overweight and obese participants (before: 19,605.13 ± 5,706.07 pg/ml, after: 16,437.39 ± 5,365.13 pg/ml, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, a reduction in BDNF levels was observed only in the female hyporesponsive group (P = 0.001).ConclusionSerum BDNF levels were elevated in overweight and obese adults in the Chinese population, and an energy-restricted diet reduced serum BDNF. In women, failure to achieve weight loss with an energy-restricted diet may be associated with decreased BDNF levels. Maintaining stable BDNF levels, such as through exercise, should be considered to enhance weight loss outcomes. Confounding factors such as the menstrual cycle, menopausal status, and levels of physical activity should be taken into consideration in future studies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6fea9465b01e45ff8016dbdbc3682bdc |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-6fea9465b01e45ff8016dbdbc3682bdc2025-08-20T03:17:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-07-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16189271618927When diets fall short: link between unsuccessful weight loss and reduced BDNF levelsGang Wu0Guifeng Shi1Yafei Ye2Xiaoqin He3Yahong Chen4Cuimin Liu5Meixian Zhang6Department of Pharmacy, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Preventive Health Care, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, ChinaHealth Management Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, ChinaHealth Management Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Pharmacy, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, ChinaEvidence-Based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, ChinaObjectivesBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein essential for brain health and nutrient energy metabolism. This study aims to examine the relationship between blood BDNF levels and obesity and to assess the effect of energy-restricted diets on BDNF levels.MethodWe enrolled 233 individuals with normal weight (n = 102), overweight (n = 52), and obesity (n = 69) and measured their serum BDNF levels. Totally 49 overweight and obese participants then followed a 4-week energy-restricted diet. Paired tests were used to statistically evaluate changes in serum BDNF levels before and after the diet. Based on the effectiveness of weight loss, participants were divided into high- and low-response groups. Changes in BDNF levels before and after the diet were further analyzed separately in the high- and low-response groups for both men and women.ResultsOur findings showed that serum BDNF levels were significantly elevated in overweight and obese adults in the Chinese population studied (P = 0.002). Energy restriction led to a significant decrease in BDNF levels in overweight and obese participants (before: 19,605.13 ± 5,706.07 pg/ml, after: 16,437.39 ± 5,365.13 pg/ml, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, a reduction in BDNF levels was observed only in the female hyporesponsive group (P = 0.001).ConclusionSerum BDNF levels were elevated in overweight and obese adults in the Chinese population, and an energy-restricted diet reduced serum BDNF. In women, failure to achieve weight loss with an energy-restricted diet may be associated with decreased BDNF levels. Maintaining stable BDNF levels, such as through exercise, should be considered to enhance weight loss outcomes. Confounding factors such as the menstrual cycle, menopausal status, and levels of physical activity should be taken into consideration in future studies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1618927/fullenergy restriction dietbrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)obesity in men and womenoverweightweight lossserum |
| spellingShingle | Gang Wu Guifeng Shi Yafei Ye Xiaoqin He Yahong Chen Cuimin Liu Meixian Zhang When diets fall short: link between unsuccessful weight loss and reduced BDNF levels Frontiers in Nutrition energy restriction diet brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) obesity in men and women overweight weight loss serum |
| title | When diets fall short: link between unsuccessful weight loss and reduced BDNF levels |
| title_full | When diets fall short: link between unsuccessful weight loss and reduced BDNF levels |
| title_fullStr | When diets fall short: link between unsuccessful weight loss and reduced BDNF levels |
| title_full_unstemmed | When diets fall short: link between unsuccessful weight loss and reduced BDNF levels |
| title_short | When diets fall short: link between unsuccessful weight loss and reduced BDNF levels |
| title_sort | when diets fall short link between unsuccessful weight loss and reduced bdnf levels |
| topic | energy restriction diet brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) obesity in men and women overweight weight loss serum |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1618927/full |
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